242 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
April 
The Garden. 
Hyacinth Offsets; Tulips. 
II'. A. If., Cayuga County , N. Y. — 1. I had a few 
hy icintbs in bloom this Winter, and they seem 
to have multiplied in the pots. How can I mature 
these sin all bulbs, so that they will bloom next 
Winter? I purpose to set them in the open 
ground, when the weather is suitable. Shall I 
separate the little bulbs and cut back the tops 
when transplanting? 2. I put out a tulip bed 
last Fall, and the plants are now coming up. 
Will the cold weather, sure to come yet this 
Spring, destroy them ? 
Ans.— 1. The little hyacinth offsets will 
not bloom next Winter. After the tops 
have died down entirely, so that the 
bulbs are well ripened, the offsets may 
be removed and planted in a flat, pan 
or bed ; but it will be two or three 
years, or more, before they are likely to 
flower. 2. The tulip bed would better 
be covered with some evergreen branches, 
tli it the young leaves may be protected 
from scaring win Is. until the weather 
becomes more settled. Cold wind, com¬ 
bined with bright sun, has a bad effect 
upon the tender leaves of early bulbs. 
Primroses; Saintpaulia; Streptocarpus. 
Mis. //. •/. L.. Dutchess County, JV. Y .—Will you 
tell me something of the different kinds of prlm- 
rosyi? Tue Chinese and Obconica are my favor¬ 
ites among house plants, but I would like to try 
some other kinds. Which would be best ? Would 
Veris an 1 Vulgaris make good house plants ? 
Does the seed grow as readily as the Chinese 
variety? Dj Saintpaulia ionantha and Strepto¬ 
carpus grow readily from seed? What treat¬ 
ment do they need, warm or cold, sun or shade ? 
Axs.—The primroses include more than 
100 different species and varieties, many 
beautiful species coming from the moun¬ 
tain regions of Europe and Asia. Our 
climate is rather trying to them, as a 
rule, both the hot Summers and variable 
Winters causing difficulty. We would 
not describe Primula veris, the Cowslip, 
or P. vulgaris, the common English prim¬ 
rose. as good house plants in the ordin¬ 
ary sense of the word, because our or¬ 
dinary living rooms are entirely too 
warm for them. However, we have 
bloomed the English primrose very satis¬ 
factorily in the house, several Winters 
in succession, the plants being kept in 
the window of a room practically un¬ 
heated. where the temperature varied 
from freezing to about 55 degrees, and 
doubtless, other hardy primroses could 
be treated the same way. Many foreign 
varieties are quite hardy enough to bear 
our Winters, but they seem to dislike 
our climate, and the Summer is espe¬ 
cially trying to them. The best success 
is obtained by sowing fresh seed each 
year, in February or March, and carry¬ 
ing the plants through the Summer in a 
cool, shaded, north-facing frame. The 
plants should be kept in the frame dur¬ 
ing the Winter, giving flowers the fol¬ 
lowing Spring. Some of the plants 
might be put in boxes in the Fall, being 
left outside until Christmas, and then 
brought into a cool room or greenhouse, 
to give early flowers. The English prim¬ 
rose is often quite difficult to g-rminate 
in this country. We have heard of its 
successful germination under snow treat¬ 
ment. The seeds were sown on the sur¬ 
face of the soil, no covering being put 
over them, and then covered with two 
inches of snow. The pot was placed by 
the window in a cold cellar, and the snow 
replaced when it melted, until the seeds 
sprouted. The young plants were after¬ 
wards planted in a shaded frame. 
Among attractive primroses for the 
frame treatment are Primula cortu- 
soides, with clusters of rose-colored 
blooms borne upon stalks six to 10 inches 
high, a native of Siberia ; P. denticulata, 
a robust Himalayan sort, with dense 
clusters of lilac flowers, and its varie¬ 
ties, of which P. Cashmeriana, deep 
lilac, is one of the best; P. Japonica in 
its different forms, with white, rose or 
crimson flowers, very fine, and P. Sie- 
boldii, deep rose. These plants like a 
soil composed of two-thirds loam and 
the remaining third sharp sand and leaf 
mold, in equal parts, cool aqd well 
drained. Primula farinosa. a pretty 
variety with pale purple flowers and 
powdery leaves, native in northern Eu¬ 
rope. is reported as occasionally found 
in the vicinity of the Great Lakes, where 
it grows in damp peaty soil, often with 
its roots half in water, and it may b. 
grown in the garden if the same condi¬ 
tions are supplied. 
Saintpiulia ionantha. sometimes called 
the Usambara violet, is easily raised 
from S''ed, and so is the Streptocarpus. 
They may both be treated like Gloxinias, 
being sown in January or February, the 
soil being a light, rich loam, mixed with 
leaf mold and sharp sand. Neither one 
should be put outside; they should have 
warm greenhouse temperature, with a 
little saade when the sun is strong. 
There are a great many showy garden 
hybrids of the Streptocarpus ; the seed 
is quite expensive, but it germinates 
well, and the plants, being dried off like 
Gloxinias, may be flowered year after 
year, and increased by division. The 
Streptocarpuses are not so much grown 
here as in Europe, and few American 
dealers offer them. The Saintpaulia be¬ 
gins to bloom when quite young, and 
is rarelv without flowers afterwards; it 
is a charming little plant, and grows per¬ 
sistently. It is a comparatively recent 
introduction from the Usambara Moun¬ 
tains. in eastern Central Africa, the size 
and color of its pretty purple flowers 
causing it to receive the name of Usam¬ 
bara violet. 
Seasonable ftotes. 
A good many young seed’ings will now 
be ready for transplanting from the seed 
pans into flats or pots. Very often, the 
young plants wilt and refuse to recover, 
because the soil is not made properly 
firm at the roots. When the seedling is 
pricked out carelessly, the soil is drawn 
around the stem, while the roots an- 
in a little cavity beneath. They should 
be put in firmly, the soil being brought 
close around the roots. The surface is 
made firm by the first watering, but the 
soil underneath must be pressed about 
the roots, or bad results will follow. Do 
not plant the seedlings too deep, but see 
that they are firm. They should be im¬ 
bedded to a point just below the seed 
leaves. 
As soon as the ground is dry enough 
to work, Mignonette and Sweet Alyssura 
may be sown directly in the border, fur¬ 
ther sowings of Mignonette being made 
at intervals during the season. Pluck 
flowers freely from both these fragrant 
favorites, and thus prolong the bloom¬ 
ing season. Alyssum and Mignonette 
should never be allowed to go to seed. 
Geraniums may now require repotting. 
Avoid a heavily-enriched sandy soil ; 
this tends to produce rank foliage, 
whereas we want flowers. A firm loam, 
moderately enriched, is better, and the 
plants should not be potted loosely. 
(Continued on next page.) 
Every Spring 
Boils Would Appear, but Hood’s 
Sarsaparilla Cured Them. 
“ I was afflicted with boils every spring for 15 
years. They would confine me to the house for 
weeks at a time, and I suffered terribly. I began 
taking Hood’s Sarsaparilla, and followed the 
directions carefully. I have not had a sign of a 
boil since.” C. H. Mooke, Bay Shore, L. I. 
Hood’s Sarsaparilla 
Is America’s Greatest Medicine. $1; six for $5. 
Dille are the best after-dinner 
3 pills, aid digestion. 25c. 
LUCRETIA DEWBERRY PLANTS 
I have a surplus of 50,000 Lucretia 
Dewberry plants, heavily rooted, 
flue quality. How many can you 
use? I will make prices that will 
surprise you. Write quick. Ground 
must be cleared. Address 
W. F. ALLEN JR., SALISBURY, MD. 
SAMPLE STRAWBERRY 
Don’t fail to set a few plants this spring. It is the 
best berry this side of Texas. 
C, 8 , PRATT, Reading. Mass. 
TREES-SHRUBS-ROSES 
The largest and most complete collections in America, including all desirable K 
novelties. General Catalogue (168 pages) free. Every intending buyer should have 52 
it. “An indispensable catalogue.”—Country Gentleman. §3 
ELLWANCER & BARRY, Mount Hope Nurseries, Rochester, N.Y. fi 
mm { - an supply 
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We send by mail postpaid, Seeds,Biilbs,Plants,RoKeft,Small Trees, Etc. Safe arrival 
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THE STORRS & HARRISON CO., Box 553, Painesville, O. 
FOR ONLY 25 CENTS tsilver or stamps) we will send Six Lovely 
Evert, looming Komcm, strong, well grown, one year plants that will bloom 
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we will send I t Cliolee Boses, including above six, and eight more, our selection, 
i.nrire two-year old rose*, for immedi 
three for I 
8 Prize Chr 
<5 Fine Flow _ 
8 Oriental Coleus. titi c (5 Miscellaneous Plants. iA5c Any five 25c sets for.SI.00 
We pay all postage. Safe arrival and satisfaction guaranteed. Illustrated Catalogue sent free with every 
order. It will tell you how to get Bumbler Boses Free. THE GKO. II. MKLLEN CO., Box 71 , Springfield,O. 
HI Hi and es P eci ally a11 Fruit Trees, Should be propagated with a view to 
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S» fruit BOOK 
wSllMUll Millions of market sor 
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exact orchard information ;» fine 
colored plates of 21 fruits, IOC photos 
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old & new: Ben Davis, Black Ben Da¬ 
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LOUSIANA, MO. 
Stark, Mo. 
Rock port, III. 
Dansville, N.Y. 
FOR BUSINESS TREES for BUSINESS FARMERS 
vcncenv,,.,. _ HONEST TREES at HONEST PRICES, write to 
THE BUSIN ESS FARM ER. ROGERS, DANSVILLE, N.Y. 
Health, Happiness, Cash and Comfort 
may be yours if you purchase our trees and plants and care for them. Free catalogue tells varieties to set. 
Only the best offered. Buy of growers, save money, labor and disappointment. 
JW LARGEST STOCK OF WIOKSON PLUM IN NEW ENGLAND. 
THE BUTLER & JEWELL CO., CROMWELL, CONN. 
| Plants 
! and Trees. 
PEACH TREES (76 varieties); STRAW¬ 
BERRY PLANTS (50 varieties); PLUM 
1 REES (Japan and European); APPLE z 
. TREES (100,000); Pear, Quince, Apricot 3 
S and Cherry Trees. BLACKBERRY! 
- PLANTS grown from root cuttings. ! 
Raspberry Plants— a full list Of Black, 5 
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of Nursery Stock of every kind. IIlus- 5 
tratedand Descriptive Catalogue free. 
JOS. H. BLACK, SON & CO., 
Village Nurseries, - Hightstown, N. J. 3 
Apple, Plum. Pear, Peach and Cherry, all 
NURSERY ROW now ; fresh dug, well packed t 
right IN' every way. Get our catalogue bet 
ordering, and you will learn how to save monev. 
C. F. MaCNAIR & CO.. Dansville. N. I 
Ifl NATH AM A PPI E The Freat money-maker. 
JUIln I llnll Ml I LL Fine stock. Also full line 
of Fruit and Ornamental Trees, Grape Vines, 
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free catalog. Over 150 acres in nursery. Established 
in 1869. Address THE GEO. A. SWEET NURSERY 
CO., Box 1605, Dansville. N. Y. 
DC APII TDCCC 410 6 2 c-; 3 tot ft., at 
rCNOn I need me.; all I yr., from bud, 
healthy and thrifty, no scale. Official certificate 
accompanies each shipment. 8 ample by express if 
wanted. Can ship any time. Trees kept dormant 
till May 10. U. S. JOHNSTON, Box 4, Stockley Del 
I ^\ Peach for $15; 500, $ 8 ; frt. prepaid 
I II II 1 to any station east of Mississippi 
River. Nice, healthy well-rooted 
7 light two to three feet trees. A 
full stock of best varieties of Strawberry and other 
Small Fruit plants. Peach, Pear, Plum and other 
fruit trees at wholesale prices. No scale. Jersev 
Yellow and Red Sweet Potato Seed; No. 1 stock; $3 
per barrel of three bushels each. Address 
CHAS. BLACK. Hightstown. N. J 
PFAPU Pill T DE l ust iss ued by the West 
I LnUil UULIUnLp Jersey Nursery Co., con¬ 
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afford to be without this work. Price 50c. Sent post¬ 
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WEST JERSEY NURSERY CO., Bridgeton, N. J. 
TRCCC at ve T low prices. Apple, Pear, Plum, 
I ithCO Quince and Cherry, 5e.; Peaches,3c. Cat. 
free. RELIANCE NURSERY, Box 10, Geneva. N. Y. 
Rhododendrons, 
Not imported and therefore hardy. 
Hardy Azaleas, Japanese Maples, 
Magnolias, (living guaranteed) 
Rare Evergreens, 
other Trees, new Shrubs, Hedge Plants. 
Parsons & Sons Co t LIMITED. 
Flushing. New York. 
Shrubs, Vines, Hedging, Ac. New 
Descriptive Catalogue free. 
THE WM. H. MOON CO., MORSISVIUE, PA. 
DAHLIAS 
etc. JOHN KNDICOTT& CO., Canton, Mass., 
Wholesale and Retail Dealers. Cat. sent post free. 
READER 
IF YOU 
LOVE 
RARE FLOWERS 
Keene, n. h. 
choice only, address ELLIS BROS., 
It will astonish and please.IST-FREE. 
CHINQUAPIN 
NUT AND FRUIT TREES 
of all desirable varieties 
Immense Stock. 
300 Acres—60 Years. 
Book on Nut Culture, 157 pages, 
60 illustrations, telling bow to pro¬ 
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Price, $1, or free with an order cf 
Nut Trees for $5. Catalogue Free. 
Parry's Pomona Nurseries, 
Parry, New Jersey 
Paragon Chestnut Grafts 
FOR SALK. Address 
I). C. WINEBRENER, Frederick, Mil. 
P each, Pear and Plum Trees; Raspberries. Black¬ 
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8 hrubs. Write me for special prices. 
C L YATES. Nurseryman. Rochester. N. Y. 
Peach Trees 
a specialty. Other 
stock, too. Don’t 
buy without first seeing our catalogue. Send for it. 
W M. PETERS. Wesley. Md. 
SUTTON’S BEAUTY - BOIKEN 
Apple Cions from bearing trees, cheap and genuine. 
H. C. SMITH; Ula, Kent County. Mich, 
